Digoxin can reduce the risk of death in patients with rheumatic heart disease

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-05-10 21:25

Australia; International; NSW

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Digoxin, a drug derived from foxglove plants, significantly reduced the risk of death or new-onset or worsening heart failure in patients with symptomatic rheumatic heart disease, according to an international study with an Australian author. Patients taking digoxin on top of their usual care had a 31.4% risk of death or new-onset or worsening heart failure compared with a 35.5% risk with placebo. The authors say that this suggests that digoxin may be safely used in young patients with rheumatic heart disease to prevent worsening heart failure.

News release

From: JAMA

Digoxin in Patients With Symptomatic Rheumatic Heart Disease
JAMA

About The Study: In patients with symptomatic rheumatic heart disease, digoxin reduced the risk of a composite of all-cause death or new-onset or worsening heart failure, with little risk of toxicity. This study is being published to coincide with the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure 2026 Congress.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: The University of New South Wales, All India Institute of Medical Sciences

Funder: The Dig-RHD trial was funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) (grant 50/4/TF-CVD/GK/2021-NCD-I).

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